Ash removal and sifting device



Patented Oct. 16, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT QFFICE 2 Claims.

The present invention pertains to a novel ash sifter applied toafurnace.

The principal object of the invention is to provide such a devicewhereby ashes may be sifted without being manually carried or wheeledaway from the furnace. Another object is to enable the sifting operationto be performed without creating dust outside the furnace.

Still another object is to incorporate the draft passage in the siftingapparatus which otherwise would obstruct the passage.

These objects are accomplished by providing a trough with a screwconveyor therein beneath the grate in the furnace. The grate is somounted that it can be dumped into the trough. Forward of the furnace isan auxiliary housing containing a cylindrical sifting screen into whichthe conveyor is extended. One portion of the screen passes the ash andanother portion passes the partially burned coal. Receptacles aremounted beneath these portions. The housing has a covered openingadapted to admit an adjusted quantity of air to the usual draft openingin the forward furnace wall. A suitable shield encloses the draft pathto confine the ash dust.

The invention is fully disclosed by way of example in the followingdescription and in the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 is a vertical section of a furnace equipped according to theinvention;

Figure 2 is a section on the line 2--2 of Figure 1; and

Figure 3 is a section on the line 3-4 of Figure 1. 1

Reference to these views will now be made by use of like characterswhich are employed to designate corresponding parts throughout.

In Figure 1 is shown the front wall I of a furnace in which is mounted agrate 2. The grate is supported at one end on a journal 3 carrying acrank 4 for rocking the grate.

Beneath the grate is a concave trough 5 having flaring side wallextensions 6. In the trough is mounted a screw conveyor 6 for a purposethat will presently be described. The trough is supported on legs 1.Forward of the wall I is a housing 8 into and through which the shaft 9of the conveyor is extended. The outer forward end of the shaft carriesa crank It for rotating the conveyor.

The housing 8 contains a' cylindrical screen II which in turn receivesenlarged spiral blades I2 on the shaft 9. The top of the housing 8 hasan opening I3 normally covered by a plate M. The plate may be displacedby a suitable means such as a chain I5 for uncovering the opening I3wholly or in part.

In the bottom of the housing 8 are two drawer receptacles I6 and I1,both disposed under the cylindrical screen I I. The usual draft openingI8 is formed in the wall I beneath the trough 5. A shield or funnel I9extends from the rear end of the housing 8 to the wall I at an upperpoint over the screw 6' and at a lower point in the bottom ofthe openingI8 to confine the dust.

In the operation of the device, the burned coal is first dumped from thegrate 2 into the trough 5, 6 by turning the grate by its crank 4. Thecrank I0 is then rotated to feed the material by the conveyor 6' to andinto the cylindrical screen II. The construction of the latter, by

appropriately sized openings, is such that the ashes drop into thedrawer I6 and the partially burned coal into the drawer IT.

The draft is created by adjusting the cover I4 to uncover the openingI3, causing a flow of air through the openings I3 and I8 to the fire bedupon thegrate 2. The trough 5, 6 is of insufficient width to introducea' material obstruction to the flow of air.

Although a specific embodiment of the invention has been illustrated anddescribed, it will be understood that various alterations in the detailsof construction may be made without departing from the spirit of theinvention as indicated by the appended claims.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. In combination with a furnace having a grate, a trough beneath saidgrate, a screw conveyor in said trough, a cylindrical screen forward ofsaid furnace, said conveyor being extended into said screen, a pair ofreceptacles beneath said screen, a housing enclosin said screen, saidhousing having an opening adjacent to said screen, an adjustable coverover said opening, said furnace having a draft opening around saidconveyor, and a funnel extending from an end of said screen into saiddraft opening, whereby to conduct air from the first named opening tosaid draft opening.

2. In combination with a furnace having a grate, a trough beneath saidgrate, a screw conveyor in said trough, a cylindrical screen forward ofsaid furnace, said screen being'of larger diameter than said conveyor,blades extending from said conveyor and rotatably fitted in said screen,a pair of receptacles beneath said screen, a housing enclosing saidscreen, said housing having an opening adjacent to said screen, anadjustable cover over said opening, said furnace having a draft openingaround said conveyor, and a funnel extending from an end of said screeninto said draft opening, whereby to conduct air from the first namedopening to said draft opening.

ALBERT DELEAN.

